After trying to fit 'ol Harold of the Anguishing into some decks as a finisher which didn't spam artifacts, I'd noticed it was in some other builds doing the same. A lot of these included heavy use of Blue, and it got me thinking back to our Humpbacked fellow here. If your objective is a flying finisher, isn't Aethertide Whale strictly better than Herald of Anguish in these decks? You pay 1 less mana for an additional point of power, and the ability to dodge removal (even generate 2 energy if that matters to you). Harold on the other hand, does have a discard ability on end step, but the other 2 bits of text don't have relevance outside of artifact decks.

The only other application for him I can think of is in some sort of U/G energy list.

Thoughts?

Lol, I'm surprised that the whale hasn't caught on yet. I've been singing its praises since pretty much day -3. It is a very good finisher for a variety of decks. Play it folks. If your deck gets to 6 mana, consider this card.

Also, aether_____ seems to be a strong keyword in these sets, lol. Note: Aether on its own is not so much.

I guess aether means "energy" in that context. Energy is cool

That's because the world runs on aether and the energy mechanic is literally aether being used.

Aethertide Whale does go into G/U energy nicely; in order decks you probably have better options in that slot.

I don't know how I feel about the whale. I haven't played it.. but when I look at it I think.. yeah it dodges removal and that's cool.. but of I unsummon it back to my hand, I have to spend six mana to put it back out there. That sounds like it feels bad..

Better than being down a card, imo.

Bristling hydra dodges removal but stays on the field

I run both in the same deck.

By itself. only once (not saying the Whale is better, just making that clear).

I run both.

If you need the finisher, losing the card is worse TBH.

@VERT: In a deck where you can spam energy, yeah Hydra is generally better despite lacking evasion.

The whale makes sense as a finisher if your deck tends to run into the top-decking scenario, worst case you are playing your top decked land and putting this threat back on the field, if you have something that is benefiting from the extra two energy then so much the better. In decks with lots of card draw you probably can find other answers but he is not terrible.

My only worry isthat if I don't have 4 energy ready there's a window in which the first one is unprotected, was this an issue in testing? Seems a good way to pack less useless finishers in control if you can avoid that window

see below .....

Yes the best thing about whale is he has built in protection. I had him in the limited cube draft deck. He is a decent threat and if removal is considered just bring him back and recast and he provides a net 2 energy to boot.

For reference there is a clip towards the end of this deck tech of him in action. It was a test v AI. He dodged removal after removal. In the end the AI board was too strong. This is also a fair indication that AI deck diversity is improving I think. Running a lot of 4 power creatures was a pretty good choice against this deck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlb-xO32VD8&t=848s {skip to 41.13 where he is cast, match starts at 27.11 }

EDIT: On a rewatch possibly casting Yahenni's Expertise was correct to remove some of his board and leave me with enough blockers. Would need to do the math. As mentioned in commentary its a good illustration of AI decks and what they are designed to do, draw matches out.

A flying Aetherling...what's not to like? And even nets energy...way underrated imho

Look guys.. this whole 'it nets me 2 energy' argument is pretty weak. Like, you spent 6 mana.. dodged a removal spell, probably got smacked in the face, then spent 6 mana again. Let's be fair.. you spent 6 mana to basically counter a (low cost) removal spell, and gain two energy. That's not a fantastic rate or anything. The only scenario where I see blowing 6 mana per turn on this guy is where you have 9-12 mana on the field and can do other things. If it's taking your whole turn.. you're probably getting your ass kicked.

Beast, it isnt a beater, it's a finisher for control, maybe ramp...as said, as Aetherlink, widely played in its day...

It's not quite Aetherling, more like Pearl Lake Ancient. But yes it is a finisher, not to be compared to a 4 mana beatstick like Bristling Hydra.